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Ned woke me up at 3:00 this morning to ask me some more questions about the IABC Conference in New Orleans.

NED: Mike, are you awake?

MIKE: (LOOKING AROUND) Yes.

NED: What about district events, like board meetings and receptions?

Should people attend those?

MIKE: Ned, to get the total IABC experience you need to be involved at every level, and the IABC Conference gives you the perfect opportunity to do so. The regional receptions offer the chance to meet with fellow communicators from your area and to learn about regional-centric events.

And the receptions are great social networking opportunities as well–not to mention the food and drinks. (LEGAL DISCLAIMER: CELEBRATING DRINKS DOES NOT NECESSARILY CONNOTE AN ENDORSEMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR THE DRUNKEN LIFESTYLE THAT HAS BEFALLEN SO MANY ONCE-PROMISING MEMBERS OF IABC.)

NED: What were the receptions like in the old days?

MIKE: You mean 2003?

NED: No, I was thinking more like 1985, 1986.

MIKE: They were pretty wild, especially the Canadian hospitality suites.

The Canadian districts were the place to be back then. What happens in Canada, stays in Canada, if you know what I mean.

NED: I don't know what you mean.

MIKE: Good one!

NED: Why don't the Canadians have those hospitality suites anymore?

MIKE: IABC clamped down on them. Too many deaths. I think we lost 15 people one year in a freak accident in Los Angeles. One of the members of IABC Dallas accidentally knocked over a hummingbird nest and they swarmed. It was awful…nectar everywhere. If you've ever been beaten about the face 47 times a second by hummingbird wings…(sigh) we lost a lot of good potential board members that year.

NED: What happens if you run out of money in a bar like Pat O'Brian's?

MIKE: If you're in Pat O'Brian's in the first place, then you have a better expense account than me. More power to you. But if you do run out of money, be prepared to do some hard time.

NED: Clarence “Frogman” Henry used to sing in the street. Will he still be there?